The holy, glorious and right-victorious MartyrsAnicetus and Photius (also Aniketos meaning unconquerable and Photinus or Photios meaning light) of Nicomedia were murdered with others during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian in the year 288. Anicetus is honored as one of the Holy Unmercenaries. They are commemorated by the Church on August 12.

Martyrdom

Appalled by the treatment of Christians under Diocletian's tyranny, Anicetus presented himself publicly at a Christian, denouncing emperor and idol worship as senseless. He was taken and beaten with rods so forcefully his bones appeared from the wounds in his flesh. While suffering his torments, his nephew Photius comforted him, embracing his uncle. He was put through the tortures with him and subsequently imprisoned for three years. Finally they were both cast into a furnace, where they gave up their spirits, but their bodies were left unharmed by the flames.